[Barrow performed all his duties as usual today, but was uncharacteristically quick to return to his quarters and has not emerged since. Thus it is that, when Bastien knocks, he hears the slow and heavy shuffle of feet as Barrow comes to the door, a purring cat cradled in one arm and another draped over his shoulders.]
Everything all right? [he asks, glancing distractedly past Bastien as if checking for trouble.]
[It’s actually something of a wonder Barrow isn’t already drunk, but perhaps it can be chalked up to his current unwillingness to be seen in public.]
Right, then. [It’s defeat and relief in one; he won’t argue, too glad that someone is being friendly to him. Turning back momentarily, he sets down the one cat and encourages the other to take its leave by shrugging his shoulder toward the bed.
Once cat-free, he turns back to Bastien with a wan smile as he comes to head out.]
[Barrow's face falls in such a way that suggests he has been holding it all together and this may have been the last straw. A good ally is hard to find, it would seem. But he says nothing, just offering a grunt of acknowledgment as he steps out and closes the door behind him.]
[ Bastien gives Barrow a rueful little smile, at the change in his face—a chin up, buddy smile from someone who's struggling with chin elevation himself, on this particular subject—and starts walking. ]
We can go ashore or we can raid the dining hall for table wine. Your choice.
Wanted to leave the farm, see the world. [He sighs wearily, shaking his head.]
This way it was an honor, instead of an escape. Going away to do Andraste's work, not just fucking off because I didn't feel like shoveling cow shit anymore.
[A grim pause.]
Least the cows wanted to be there, I suppose. Or didn't care one way or the other.
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timeasmymeasure
action.
Date: 2021-09-19 05:32 am (UTC)Barrow. [ Through the door. ] I need a drink and you have to come with me.
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Date: 2021-09-19 07:58 pm (UTC)Everything all right? [he asks, glancing distractedly past Bastien as if checking for trouble.]
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Date: 2021-09-19 08:59 pm (UTC)As fine as it gets. A long day.
[ And a brief aside to the cats: ] Qui sont les jolis chatons? C'est vous!
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Date: 2021-09-19 11:09 pm (UTC)Right, then. [It’s defeat and relief in one; he won’t argue, too glad that someone is being friendly to him. Turning back momentarily, he sets down the one cat and encourages the other to take its leave by shrugging his shoulder toward the bed.
Once cat-free, he turns back to Bastien with a wan smile as he comes to head out.]
Athessa’s.
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Date: 2021-09-21 02:14 am (UTC)[ His face doesn't change much, but it does get sadder around the eyes while he steps back to make room for Barrow to join him in the hallway. ]
They might be yours now. She is fine, if you didn't know that already, but I don't think she is coming back.
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Date: 2021-09-21 06:15 am (UTC)But he says nothing, just offering a grunt of acknowledgment as he steps out and closes the door behind him.]
Where to?
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Date: 2021-09-23 05:01 am (UTC)We can go ashore or we can raid the dining hall for table wine. Your choice.
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Date: 2021-09-24 12:30 am (UTC)Think I'd prefer not to be seen about, for a while.
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Date: 2021-09-26 08:59 pm (UTC)[ It won't change what direction they go until they're outside. ]
They are terribly judgmental sometimes, [ he adds, voice quiet, ] for people whose future relies so much on not being judged.
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Date: 2021-09-26 09:03 pm (UTC)Can't even say I blame them, really. [He looks at the ground as he talks, no doubt afraid to speak too loudly.]
Nobody likes feeling that the choice is already made for them.
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Date: 2021-09-26 09:15 pm (UTC)[ Bastien is quiet for a few steps. ]
How old were you when you started your training?
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Date: 2021-09-26 09:16 pm (UTC)[He tilts his head to and fro, thinking.]
Older lad. Fifteen, sixteen..
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Date: 2021-09-26 09:23 pm (UTC)What made you want to do it?
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Date: 2021-09-26 09:33 pm (UTC)This way it was an honor, instead of an escape. Going away to do Andraste's work, not just fucking off because I didn't feel like shoveling cow shit anymore.
[A grim pause.]
Least the cows wanted to be there, I suppose. Or didn't care one way or the other.
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Date: 2021-09-26 10:20 pm (UTC)But more seriously: ]
Did you see the world?
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Date: 2021-09-27 06:52 pm (UTC)I saw Ferelden.
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Date: 2021-09-28 07:48 pm (UTC)[ A pause for arithmetic. His fingers are involved. ]
—about an eighth of it. Good start. And now you are seeing more.
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Date: 2021-09-28 10:01 pm (UTC)[Barrow has to pause too, also counting on his fingers-- and after a few moments he gives up rather than try to puzzle it out.]
Well, never mind that, I've seen more since joining you lot. That's what counts, innit?